Dutch trap

ABSTRACT

A tubular insert is inserted in a tubular P-Trap which comprises a straight inlet section, a U-Bend trap section, and a straight outlet section. The insert has an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a length such that the length is greater than an inner diameter of the P-Trap. Liquid flow is allowed to pass through the insert but oversized objects, having a maximum size greater than the insert inner diameter of the insert, are prevented from flowing through it. A retractor is used to retract the insert along with the oversized object from the inlet section of the P-Trap.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to plumbing tool to be used in a plumbingsystem, including method of operation, in order to capture oversizedobjects from flowing through the system. In particular, a tubular insertfor use with a P-Trap is inserted into the inlet section of the P-Trappreventing oversized objects from flowing through the P-Trap.

BACKGROUND

The use of traps in plumbing systems is well known to artisans ofordinary skill. They usually are in a U, S, or J shape and are locatedbelow or within a plumbing fixture. The traps are utilized to preventsewer gases from entering buildings. The most common of these traps inhouses is referred to as a P-trap. It is the addition of a 90 degreefitting on the outlet side of a U-bend, thereby creating a P- likeshape. It is also referred to as a sink trap because it is installedunder most house sinks.

Because of its shape, the trap retains a small amount of water after thefixture's use. This water in the trap creates a seal that prevents sewergas from passing from the drain pipes back into the occupied space ofthe building. Because it is a localized low-point in the plumbing, sinktraps also tend to capture heavy objects that are inadvertently droppedinto the sink. Traps also tend to collect hair, sand, and other debrisand limit the ultimate size of objects that will pass on into the restof the plumbing, thereby catching oversized objects. For all of thesereasons, most traps can either be disassembled for cleaning or theyprovide some sort of cleanout feature.

The existing tools and methods require disassembly of the piping systemand there is a need for a tool and method for capturing and retractingoversized objects flowing through plumbing systems without disassembly.The present invention uses a tubular insert that is inserted in atubular P-Trap which comprises a straight inlet section, a U-Bend trapsection, and a straight outlet section. The insert, having an innerdiameter, an outer diameter, and a length such that the length isgreater than an inner diameter of the P-Trap. Liquid flow is allowed topass through the insert but oversized objects, having a maximum sizegreater than the insert inner diameter of the insert, are prevented fromflowing through it. A retractor is used to retract the insert along withthe oversized object from the inlet section of the P-Trap.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a tubular insert for use with a tubular P-Trap isdisclosed wherein said insert is operable to prevent an oversized objectfrom flowing through the P-Trap, said P-Trap comprising a straight inletsection operable to receive liquid, a U-Bend trap section operable totrap the liquid, and a straight outlet section operable to discharge theliquid, said P-Trap further comprising a P-Trap inner diameter, saidinsert comprising an insert inner diameter, an insert outer diameter,and an insert length, wherein the insert is inserted into the straightinlet section until an edge section of the insert perimeter restsagainst an inner side of the U-Bend trap section, wherein the insertinner diameter is less than a maximum size of the oversized object,wherein the insert outer diameter is less than the P-Trap innerdiameter, and wherein the insert length is greater than the P-Trap innerdiameter.

Preferably, the P-Trap is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Preferably, the insert is made of polyvinyl chloride.

Preferably, the P-Trap inner diameter is equal to 4 inches.

Preferably, the insert outer diameter is equal to 3.75 inches.

Preferably, the insert inner diameter is equal to 3.5 inches.

Preferably, the insert length is in the range between 6 inches and 8inches.

Preferably, the insert further comprises one or more circular holesdisposed circumferentially around an axial direction of the insert.

Preferably, the one or more circular holes comprise 4 circular holeshaving a diameter equal to 0.75 inches, wherein the 4 circular holes aredisposed circumferentially around the axial direction of the insert at90 degrees intervals, and wherein the 4 circular holes are disposedaxially 0.5 inches from a distal edge of the insert.

Preferably, the maximum size of the oversized object is equal to adiameter of a sphere circumscribing the oversized object.

In another aspect, a method for preventing an oversized object fromflowing through a tubular P-Trap is disclosed wherein said P-Trapcomprises a straight inlet section operable to receive liquid, a U-Bendtrap section operable to trap the liquid, and a straight outlet sectionoperable to discharge the liquid, said P-Trap further comprising aP-Trap inner diameter, said method comprising providing for a tubularinsert, said insert comprising an insert inner diameter, an insert outerdiameter, and an insert length, inserting said insert into the straightinlet section until an edge section of the insert perimeter restsagainst an inner side of the U-Bend trap section, wherein the insertinner diameter is less than a maximum size of the oversized object,wherein the insert outer diameter is less than the P-Trap innerdiameter, and wherein the insert length is greater than the P-Trap innerdiameter.

Preferably, the method further comprises retracting said insert, via aretractor.

Preferably, the insert further comprises one or more circular holesdisposed circumferentially around an axial direction of the insert,wherein the retractor comprises a circular rod, wherein the circular rodcomprises a bend, and wherein the bend is operable to engage one of theone or more circular holes facilitating the retracting of the insert.

Preferably, the P-Trap is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Preferably, the insert is made of polyvinyl chloride.

Preferably, the P-Trap inner diameter is equal to 4 inches.

Preferably, the insert outer diameter is equal to 3.75 inches.

Preferably, the insert inner diameter is equal to 3.5 inches.

Preferably, the insert length is in the range between 6 inches and 8inches.

In another aspect, a tubular insert for use with a tubular pipe isdisclosed wherein said insert is operable to prevent an oversized objectfrom flowing through the pipe, said pipe comprising a pipe bend and apipe inner diameter, said insert comprising an insert inner diameter, aninsert outer diameter, and an insert length, wherein the insert isinserted into the pipe until an edge section of the insert perimeterrests against an inner side of the pipe bend, wherein the insert innerdiameter is less than a maximum size of the oversized object, whereinthe insert outer diameter is less than the pipe inner diameter, andwherein the insert length is greater than the pipe inner diameter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a tubular insert including fourcircular holes at a distance from the edge for easy removal of theinsert from a P-Trap according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a pipe system including a tubularP-Trap and a partial cutaway view of a straight inlet section of theP-Trap showing a tubular insert inside the inlet section according tothe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of astraight inlet section of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insertinside the inlet section and the direction of liquid flow through theinlet section and the insert according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a partial cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of astraight inlet section of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insertinside the inlet section and an oversized object being prevented fromflowing through the P-Trap via the insert according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of astraight inlet section of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insertinside the inlet section and an oversized object being prevented fromflowing through the P-Trap and further showing a retractor used toretract the tubular insert from the P-Trap according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a partial cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of astraight inlet section of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insert andan oversized object being retracted from the inlet section of the P-Trapvia a retractor according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a method and system for preventing anoversized object from flowing through a tubular P-Trap using an insertthat is inserted into the P-Trap's inlet section. A retractor can beused to subsequently retract the insert and the oversized object fromthe P-Trap.

FIG. 1 depicts a tubular insert 100 including four circular holes ofdiameter D_(h) at 108. The insert 100 includes an outer diameter D_(O)at 102, an inner diameter D_(I) at 104, and a length H at 110. The fourholes are disposed circumferentially at 90 degrees intervals. The insert100 is used with a pipe system so as to prevent oversized objects fromflowing through the pipe system.

FIG. 2 depicts a pipe system including a tubular P-Trap 200 and apartial cutaway view of a straight inlet section 208 of the P-Trapshowing a tubular insert 202 which is inserted into the inlet section208. The P-Trap further includes a U-Bend trap section 210 and astraight outlet section 212. The P-Trap further includes a P-Trap innerdiameter P_(I) at 206 and a P-Trap outer diameter P_(O) at 204. Theinsert 202 is inserted into the straight inlet section 208 until an edgesection of the insert perimeter 220 rests against an inner side 214 ofthe U-Bend trap section 210.

The inner diameter D_(I) at 222 of the insert 202 is less than a maximumsize of an oversized object. According to one preferred embodiment, themaximum size of the oversized object is equal to a diameter of a spherecircumscribing the oversized object. The outer diameter D_(O) at 224 ofthe insert 202 is less than the P-Trap inner diameter P_(I) at 206 sothat the insert 202 may be easily inserted into the inlet section 208 ofthe P-Trap. The length of the insert H at 216 is greater than the P-Trapinner diameter P_(I) at 206 so as to ensure that the insert 202 does notflow through the P-Trap.

According to a preferred embodiment, the P-Trap 200 is made ofacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, such as the ABS piping system known toartisans of ordinary skill. The insert 202 is also made of polyvinylchloride, such as the PVC piping system. The inner diameter P_(I) at 206of the P-Trap 200 is equal to 4 inches. The outer diameter D_(O) at 224of the insert 202 is equal to 3.75 inches, the inner diameter D_(I) at222 of the insert 202 is equal to 3.5 inches, and the length H at 216 ofthe insert 202 is the range between 6 inches and 8 inches, preferably 7inches. Since the length H at 216 of the insert 202 is 7 inches and theinner diameter P_(I) at 206 of the P-Trap 200 is equal to 4 inches, theinsert 202 will not flow through the P-Trap 200.

All oversized objects having a maximum size greater than the innerdiameter D_(I) at 222 of the insert 202, which in this case is 3.5inches, will be stopped at the top of the insert 202, shown in moredetail in connection with FIGS. 3-4. The insert 202 includes 4 circularholes of diameter D_(H) at 218 which are disposed circumferentiallyaround an axial direction of the insert 202. In a preferred embodiment,the diameter D_(H) at 218 of each of the holes is equal to 0.75 inches,the holes are disposed at 90 degrees interval, and are positioned at adistance L_(o) at 226, preferably 0.5 inches from the top of the insert202. The holes are used to retract the insert 202 from the inlet section208 of the P-Trap 200 via a retractor, shown in more detail inconnection with FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cutaway view 300 of a straight inlet section308 of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insert 302 which has beeninserted inside the inlet section 308 and the direction of liquid flow304 through the inlet section 308 and the insert 303. The liquid flow304 flows through the pipe system to a drain system (not shown but knownto artisans of ordinary skill). The liquid flow may include an oversizedobject, shown in FIG. 4, which the insert 302 will prevent from enteringthe drain system.

For instance, if the inner diameter P_(I) at 310 of the P-Trap is equalto 4 inches, all objects having a maximum size less than 4 inches canflow through the P-Trap which may be unacceptable to a drain system. Byinserting the insert 302 into the inlet section 308 of the P-Trap, theeffective diameter of the inlet section 308 is reduced to the innerdiameter D_(I) at 312, for instance 3.50 inches, of the insert 302,which may be acceptable to the drain system. As such, inserting theinsert 302, is an easy method of reducing the inner diameter of a P-Trapin a pipe system.

FIG. 4 depicts a partial cutaway view 400 of a straight inlet section408 of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insert 402 inside the inletsection 408 and an oversized object 412 being prevented from flowingthrough the P-Trap via the insert 402. The maximum size 414 of theoversized object 412 is the diameter of a hypothetical spherecircumscribing the oversized object 412.

The liquid flows through the inlet section 408 of the P-Trap at 404,over the oversized object 412 at 410, and through the insert 402 at 416to drain 406 while preventing the oversized object 412 from flowingthrough the pipe system. As such, liquid can flow through the pipesystem while the oversized object 412 is prevented from flowing thoughtit and possibly damage the downstream drain system.

FIG. 5 depicts a partial cutaway view 500 of a straight inlet section508 of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insert 502 inside the inletsection 508 and an oversized object 512 being prevented from flowingthrough the P-Trap, and further depicting a retractor 504 having a bentsection 506 used to retract the tubular insert 502 from the P-Trap. Theretractor 504 is s circular rod and is manually inserted into the inletsection 508. The bend 506 is inserted into the hole 510 and the insert502 along with the oversized object 512 is extracted from the P-Trap.

FIG. 6 depicts a partial cutaway view 600 of a straight inlet section608 of a tubular P-Trap showing a tubular insert 602 inside the inletsection 608 and an oversized object 612 being retracted from the inletsection 608 of the P-Trap via a partially shown retractor 604. Theinsert 602 has a hole 610 and the retractor 604 has a bend 606 which caneasily engage the hole 610 in order to retract the insert 602 along withthe oversized object 612 from the inlet section 608. The oversizedobject 612 can be removed and the insert 602 and reinserted into theinlet section 608 for continued operation until another oversized objectis so stopped and retracted.

The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, anddiscussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understandingthis invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of itand are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is thefollowing claims, including all equivalents, which are intended todefine the scope of this invention.

1. A tubular insert for use with a tubular P-Trap, said insert operableto prevent an object from flowing through the P-Trap, said P-Trapcomprising: (a) a straight inlet section operable to receive liquid; (b)a U-Bend trap section operable to trap the liquid; and (c) a straightoutlet section operable to discharge the liquid; said P-Trap furthercomprising a P-Trap inner diameter; said insert comprising: (i) aninsert inner diameter; (ii) an insert outer diameter; and (iii) aninsert length; wherein the insert is slidably inserted into the straightinlet section until an edge section of a perimeter of the insert restsagainst an inner side of the U-Bend trap section; wherein the insertinner diameter is less than a maximum size of the object; wherein theinsert outer diameter is less than the P-Trap inner diameter; andwherein the insert length is greater than the P-Trap inner diameter. 2.The insert of claim 1, wherein the P-Trap is made of acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene.
 3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert is madeof polyvinyl chloride.
 4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the P-Trapinner diameter is equal to 4 inches.
 5. The insert of claim 1, whereinthe insert outer diameter is equal to 3.75 inches.
 6. The insert ofclaim 1, wherein the insert inner diameter is equal to 3.5 inches. 7.The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert length is in the range between6 inches and 8 inches.
 8. The insert of claim 1, further comprising oneor more circular holes disposed circumferentially around an axialdirection of the insert.
 9. The insert of claim 8, wherein the one ormore circular holes comprise 4 circular holes having a diameter equal to0.75 inches, wherein the 4 circular holes are disposed circumferentiallyaround the axial direction of the insert at 90 degrees intervals, andwherein the 4 circular holes are disposed axially 0.5 inches from adistal edge of the insert.
 10. The insert of claim 1, wherein themaximum size of the oversized object is equal to a diameter of a spherecircumscribing the object.
 11. A method for preventing an object fromflowing through a tubular P-Trap, said P-Trap comprising: (a) a straightinlet section operable to receive liquid; (b) a U-Bend trap sectionoperable to trap the liquid; and (c) a straight outlet section operableto discharge the liquid; said P-Trap further comprising a P-Trap innerdiameter; said method comprising (A) providing for a tubular insert,said insert comprising: an insert inner diameter; (ii) an insert outerdiameter; and (iii) an insert length; (B) slidably inserting said insertinto the straight inlet section until an edge section of a perimeter ofthe insert rests against an inner side of the U-Bend trap section;wherein the insert inner diameter is less than a maximum size of theobject; wherein the insert outer diameter is less than the P-Trap innerdiameter; and wherein the insert length is greater than the P-Trap innerdiameter.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: (C) retractingsaid insert, via a retractor.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein theinsert further comprises one or more circular holes disposedcircumferentially around an axial direction of the insert, wherein theretractor comprises a circular rod, wherein the circular rod comprises abend, and wherein the bend is operable to engage one of the one or morecircular holes facilitating the retracting of the insert.
 14. The methodof claim 11, wherein the P-Trap is made of acrylonitrile butadienestyrene.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the insert is made ofpolyvinyl chloride.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the P-Trap innerdiameter is equal to 4 inches.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein theinsert outer diameter is equal to 3.75 inches.
 18. The method of claim11, wherein the insert inner diameter is equal to 3.5 inches.
 19. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the insert length is in the range between 6inches and 8 inches.
 20. A tubular insert for use with a tubular pipe,said insert operable to prevent an object from flowing through the pipe,said pipe comprising a pipe bend and a pipe inner diameter, said insertcomprising: an insert inner diameter; (ii) an insert outer diameter; and(iii) an insert length; wherein the insert is slidably inserted into thepipe until an edge section of a perimeter of the insert rests against aninner side of the pipe bend; wherein the insert inner diameter is lessthan a maximum size of the object; wherein the insert outer diameter isless than the pipe inner diameter; and wherein the insert length isgreater than the pipe inner diameter.